RCB Management blamed for B'luru stampede tragedy, FIR lodged at Cubbon Park Police Station

Chaos erupted in the city on Wednesday as thousands of fans gathered for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) victory event, leading to a stampede killing 11 people. The primary blame has been laid squarely on the RCB management for alleged missteps that triggered confusion and overcrowding. An FIR has been lodged against RCB Management, DNA Entertainment and KSCA under BNS Section 106 at Cubbon Park Police Station.

Also read: Bengaluru stampede: Top cop warned against rushed celebration; HM ignored advice: Sources

The flashpoint came when RCB’s official account tweeted about a Victory Parade in the morning and again in the afternoon—reportedly without obtaining prior permission from the police. The situation worsened after RCB also announced free entry to Chinnaswamy Stadium for fans, which led to a massive, unregulated crowd gathering outside the venue.

Sources allege that the RCB management failed to coordinate with local authorities, lacking even basic protocol such as securing police support for crowd control. Compounding the issue, police forces had already been deployed for a government-sponsored felicitation ceremony near Vidhana Soudha, leaving Chinnaswamy Stadium without adequate security cover.

Critics say RCB management severely underestimated the turnout, and their failure to plan responsibly led to the mayhem. Although the state government’s focus was on the Vidhana Soudha event, it was the unauthorized social media announcements and lack of crowd management strategy that appear to have directly caused the stampede.

This incident raises serious concerns about event accountability, and voices are growing louder demanding that RCB be held responsible for what many are calling a preventable disaster.